AN auction mart that closed during the foot-and-mouth crisis will be turned into a visitor attraction after officials gave the go-ahead for a £5m redevelopment.

Hawes Auction Mart, in North Yorkshire, has been given planning permission to create a multi-purpose building. In an attempt to diversify, it will incorporate a cafe, a training theatre for groups, new sales and exhibition areas and sports facilities.

The development will replace an office, other buildings, and use spare land to the east of the site. Trading in the sales ring will be unaffected.

The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority approved the plans this week.

Mart manager Maurice Hall said the aim was to provide a service to the community and generate more income.

He said: "We are highly delighted with the decision.

"Our next move is to start putting our case forward to see how much support with funding we can get."

Outline planning permission has also been given for a visitor centre at the mart, in Burtersett Road.

Mr Hall said: "I see this working in partnership with the Dales Countryside Museum and the Wensleydale Creamery visitor centre.

"We want to create a facility which will allow visitors to the Dales and consumers of rural products a chance to learn where these products come from.

"The plan is to diversify in these times of difficulty for the agricultural sector."

The auction mart started investigating other sources of income after it had to close during the foot-and-mouth outbreak in 2001.

A study began in January last year to examine how the mart might be developed to help the community and the economy of the Upper Dales.

Talks are under way with Craven College, in Skipton, to offer NVQ courses in the building. Mart bosses hope the facility will also hold car auctions, trade shows and art exhibitions.

If funding is found, work could start in December.